Fitness hope for Brantham Athletic's Sibbons before FA Vase clash

JACK Sibbons is hoping to be fit for Brantham Athletic’s FA Vase match at East Preston.

The defender-cum-midfielder has been struggling with an injury that would have kept out of last week’s fourth-round tie between the sides.

But the match was postponed due to a water-logged pitch and swiftly rearranged for today.

That has given former Harwich & Parkeston player Sibbons a chance of being fit for the trip to the Sussex County League leaders.

“Jack has returned to training and we’re hopeful he’ll be OK,” said Brantham boss Paul Abrahams. “He has an outside chance and that’s one good thing about the game being off last weekend, because he wouldn’t have had a chance first-time round.”

Brantham face a very tough test today against an East Preston side flying high at the top their table.

They are unbeaten, have won 17 of their 20 games and have a huge 13-point lead over second-place Littlehampton.

Abrahams is keeping his fingers crossed that more wet weather forecast today does not wash out the rearranged match.

“I hope it’s dry enough, but there aren’t any guarantees,” said the former Colchester United hero.

“We’ll certainly prepare as though the match is on, until we’re told differently.” The winners of today's tie face a fifth-round match at home to Leicester side St Andrews.